Chateau Ste. Michelle 'Indian Wells' Riesling - $11.99

Wine Details

Price:	$11.99
Producer:	Chateau Ste. Michelle
Region:	Columbia Valley
Varietal:	Riesling
Container Size:	750 ML
Flavors:

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Product Description

This is our ripe, tropical style of Riesling, which comes from the warm Wahluke Slope region of eastern Washington. The 2006 Indian Wells Riesling exhibits fruit-driven aromas of juicy pineapple and mango. The wine is rich and unctuous, while maintaining a fresh, elegant style that is typical of Washington state Riesling” -Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker
Chateau Ste. Michelle is the oldest winery in Washington state with some of the most mature vineyards in the Columbia Valley. The winery’‘s roots date back to after the Repeal of Prohibition, when the Pommerelle Wine Company and the National Wine Company were formed in 1934. They merged in 1954 to form American Wine Growers and produced mostly fortified sweet wines. In 1967, American Wine Growers began a new line of premium vinifera wines called “Ste. Michelle Vintners” under the direction of legendary California winemaker and consultant Andre Tchelistcheff. Ste. Michelle Vintners planted its first vines at its Cold Creek Vineyard in Eastern Washington in 1972. In 1976 Ste. Michelle Vintners built a French style Chateau in Woodinville, outside of Seattle, and changed its name to Chateau Ste. Michelle to reflect its new facility. Today, Chateau Ste. Michelle is not only recognized for pioneering vinifera grape growing in the Columbia Valley, but is also a leader in modern day viticultural research. The Chateau Ste. Michelle’‘s has a diverse collection of premium Washington wines, which includes Columbia Valley wines styled to bring out the varietal character of the region; Single Vineyard wines to epitomize the terroir of our best vineyards; and our Artist Series meritage, a special Bordeaux-style blend, crafted for power and longevity.

Food Pairings

Category	Pairing
Poultry & Eggs	Roast Turkey, Spicy Chicken Dishes
Vegetables	Shallots
Fish or Shellfish	Ceviche
Sauces	White Wine Sauce
Spicy Food	Mexican & South American
Poultry & Eggs	Huevos Rancheros

Wine Terms

Name	Value
Riesling	(REESE ling)—a grape that comes mostly from the Mosel and Rheingau regions of Germany (where it is a noble variety), the Finger Lakes region of New York, and Alsace region of France, and Austria. Although often thought of as “sweet,” many Rieslings are quite dry. The word trocken on German bottles indicates dryness. The trademarks of Riesling are high acidity, low to medium alcohol levels, and aromas and flavors that range from fruity and flowery to mineral. Also called Johannesburg Riesling or White Riesling.
United States	Wineries exist in all fifty states, but the most predominant (and best) wine comes from Northern California, Oregon, and Washington State, with New York gaining a foothold in the industry. American wines make up about 75% of all wine sales in the US. The appellation system uses the term AVA (American Viticultural Area) to determine where wines were produced, but grape varieties can be planted anywhere in the country. American wineries generally use varietal labeling, and government regulations require that the variety on the label must make up at least 75% of the blend (in Oregon it’s 90%). The words reserve, special selection, private reserve, classic, and so on have no legal definition in the US. Some wineries use these terms to indicate their better wines; others use the words as a marketing tool to move lower quality wines off the shelf.
Washington	Most of the wineries in this state are located east of the Cascade Range, where the climate is desert-like, with hot days and cool nights. The irrigated vineyards produce high yield, but the flavor is nevertheless very good. Traditionally Rieslings have been the most successful here, but currently Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are doing well. Chardonnay is successfully fermented in new oak barrels, yielding distinctively crisp and delicate flavors, like fresh apples. Washington Merlot, with its cherry flavors and aroma, tends to be more full-bodied, moderately tannic and slightly higher in alcohol than its Bordeaux cousins and higher in acidity than those from California. Acreage for the Syrah grape has increased substantially in the past few years, and in Washington it turns into big, dark, intensely concentrated wines with aromas and flavors of blackberries, black currants, roasted coffee and leather. A little-known German grape, Lemberger, does very well here. It produces a fruity but dry red wine in the Beaujolais or Dolcetto style.
Columbia Valley	The Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the largest in the state of Washington. It includes the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Walla Walla, and Horse Heaven Hill AVAs within its boundaries.